PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more current VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD, and for consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hepatitis C, headaches, a low back disability, and a hearing loss disability. Service connection was granted for right leg varicose veins with a 10 percent evaluation effective from November 22, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, neck disability, tinnitus, left ankle and bilateral foot disabilities, and asthma. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of a current psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and migraines. The claim for a higher rating for PFB was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation of PTSD with major depression has been denied. The issue of TDIU was not addressed in the statement of the case and is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA mental health treatment records and scheduling a hearing before a VA Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the Board finds there is insufficient evidence regarding his employability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective from April 22, 2005.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since August 20, 2010. The Board found that the disability picture more nearly approximates reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as blunted affect; impaired impulse control; impairment of memory; disturbances of motivation and mood; chronic sleep impairment; irritability; difficulty concentrating; hypervigilance; anxiety; one report of suicidal thoughts; depressive symptoms; difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances; and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective September 1, 2005. The appeal for increased ratings and service connection is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by symptoms such as nightmares, hypervigilance, social avoidance, flashbacks, irritability, unprovoked anger, chronic depression, and feelings of detachment from others. For the initial rating period prior to September 28, 2010, the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence submitted by the appellant and an inadequate VA medical opinion. The issue of service connection for a low back disability will be reconsidered, and the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability, including depression and PTSD, will also be addressed.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to July 7, 2009 and upgraded to 50 percent from that date. The effective date for the increased rating is not specified.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from April 8, 2003 to September 14, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with VA procedures, particularly regarding his incarceration status.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 2, 2009 for PTSD and for TDIU prior to that date has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent disabling effective February 27, 2008.